YOUR BABY AT WEEK 41

It's not unusual for a baby to be overdue — and you to feel overdone, but you're apt to feel real labor pains anytime this week or next.

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Don’t worry, your baby is not considered overdue until 42 weeks gestation. Only 5 percent of babies arrive on their due date.

Your baby’s nails will definitely need a manicure and pedicure after birth. By now, they’ve grown well past his fingertips.

Your baby’s heartbeat will likely be monitored this week through nonstress tests. His heart rate should quicken each time he moves.

Without her vernix, her skin may begin to peel and crack. There’s no need to treat it once she’s born. A fresh layer of skin awaits underneath!

It seems like your baby has opted for a late checkout, quite a popular option judging by the numbers. Fewer than five percent of babies are born on their actual due dates — and around 50 percent decide to overstay their welcome in Hotel Uterus, thriving well into the tenth month. Remember, too, that most of the time an overdue baby isn't overdue at all — it's just that the due date was off. That's okay — there's still work to be done at 41 weeks pregnant.

Why Fetal Stress Hormones Can Be GoodGearing up for the big day is your baby's endocrine system — responsible for hormone production — is gearing up for the big day. Researchers theorize that baby actually sends some chemical signals (aka hormones) to the placenta to trigger labor to begin (as in: "Get me out of here, Mom!"). Other hormones are standing by, too. During childbirth, your baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in his or her life (and you thought you were stressed out now!). But those hormones will actually help your baby adjust rapidly to life outside the womb and help all those survival instincts to kick in as he or she becomes untethered from the placenta that has provided life support for the past nine months.

Baby's First BreathAnother big job ahead for your baby will be taking that first breath of air. In fact, the first breath at birth requires considerably more effort than any breath your baby will ever take again. That's because the tiny air sacs in the lungs need to be inflated for the first time so that they expand to fully do their job — of breathing for a lifetime.

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WATCH YOUR BABY’S GROWTH AT WEEK 41

YOUR BODY AT WEEK 41

Meanwhile, your body is as ready for birth as it will ever be. By the time you're 41 weeks pregnant, your practitioner has probably discussed labor induction with you, but that doesn't mean that you won't still go into labor on your own; some babies just need to take their time. But here's the question you keep asking yourself: Will you know labor when you feel it?

Labor ContractionsChances are, you'll know it. But just in case you don't, here's a quick primer. Your water may break (though it may not) and you may notice pink or red-tinged mucous (the bloody show) just before labor begins. Then you'll notice labor contractions — rhythmical waves of hardening and softening of your uterus — which can come on fast and sudden for some women or slow and steady for others. Typically (though not always), contractions start out further apart and then get progressively closer together. Your first true labor contractions might feel like menstrual cramps or a low backache. Many times, contraction pain will begin in your back and radiate toward your front. Or, your contractions can be limited to the front only. Just as no two pregnancies are the same, no two labors are the same. And though there are such things as textbook labors, many break a surprising number of rules. If you're feeling contractions but you're not sure if it's the real thing, call your practitioner and describe what you're feeling. It's likely he or she will be able to judge by the sound of your voice (plus a good description of your symptoms) whether you're in labor.

TRY THIS: Keeping Busy

Baby on the brain? It's hard to think of anything else when your due date has come and gone — a week ago. But you know what they say about a watched pot — so in an effort to keep your mind off your tardy baby and to keep busy, try to have something planned every day (and watching the clock tick doesn't count!). Get out of the house: Take a walk (which might even help get your contractions going), get a manicure or a haircut (you may not have the chance once baby's on board), see a movie or two (your last for a while), hit the mall for those last-minute baby needs, have lunch with your friends and dinner with your spouse, do a thorough grocery-store sweep so you'll come home to a full fridge and freezer. And speaking of freezers, make sure yours is stocked with ready-made meals. Oh and tell your friends and family to stop calling every day: Remind them that no news is…no news.

MORE TIPS

You've passed 40 weeks, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're overdue. In fact, 70% of post-term pregnancies aren't actually late at all but a miscalculation of the time of conception.

Defy gravity and give your body a break from all the extra weight by floating in a warm bath or pool. (Avoid the hot tub, though...you can get back in soon enough!)

Planning on saving your placenta? Talk to your health care provider before you go into labor, so she can be prepared.

Believe it or not, diarrhea might be a good sign your baby is on her way (it's your body's way of clearing out the area). Gross, but better now than on the delivery table!

TRENDING WITH MOMS

COMMON SYMPTOMS

SLOWDOWN IN FETAL ACTIVITY;

Many babies slow down their activity at this late stage in the game mainly because they become too cramped in the uterus (they are full size and weight now) to move around much.Read more

MORE FREQUENT URINATION;

Now that your baby has dropped down into your pelvis toward the birth canal — with his or her head most likely right on your bladder — you may be feeling more of an urge to pee than ever before (and you may even start leaking when you cough or sneeze). Continue to do Kegel exercises to strengthen those pelvic-floor muscles and wear a panty liner (if you like) to stay dry in the meantime.Read more

BLOODY SHOW;

You may notice a pink- or brown-tinged mucous discharge in your underpants — or in the toilet. The passage of this mucous means that blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing as the cervix is beginning to open up in preparation for labor (could be today or several days from now).Read more

CERVICAL DIALATION OR EFFACEMENT;

During an internal exam, your practitioner will probably tell you how much your cervix is dilated (opened) and effaced (thinned). This opening and thinning of the cervix mean that it's getting ready to make way for a baby. For some women dilation and effacement are very gradual — over weeks — and for some they can happen overnight.Read more

DIARRHEA;

Starting to get the runs? It's very common to experience diarrhea (or nausea) shortly before you go into labor since your muscles (including those in your intestines and rectum) are loosening in preparation for childbirth.Read more

HEMORRHOIDS;

If the bulging veins in your rectum are causing you pain (thanks in large part to the increased blood flow to your pelvic area and the pressure your uterus is putting on your rectum), try soaking in a warm sitz bath for 15 to 20 minutes to soothe your aching bum. And don't forget to ask your practitioner before using any medication for hemorrhoids.Read more

PELVIC PAIN;

No doubt you're feeling heaviness and stress in the pelvic region now that your baby has dropped down toward the birth canal. To ease the pressure on your hips and pelvis try to relax by lying down with your hips elevated.Read more

NESTING INSTINCT;

If you can't seem to find the oomph to get off the couch these days, it's understandable — after all, your heavy (late) load is weighing you down. On the other hand, you may notice a sudden burst of energy now and again (for example, you feel the immediate urge to organize the nursery closet) — that's your nesting instinct kicking into high gear, which is nature's way of helping you prepare for your impending arrival.Read more

ASK YOUR DOCTOR

I've been urinating frequently again like in the first trimester. Is this a sign of a UTI?

I spot after sex or a pelvic exam. Why? When should I contact you about it?

I have a thin, yellowish fluid leaking from my breasts. I don't think it's milk. What is it?

My friend told me she had a bowel movement during labor. How can I prevent that from happening?

How long will you let me go past my due date before you induce?

Since my baby is in the breech or transverse position, does that mean I have to have a C-section?

I'm worried about breastfeeding. Is there anything I can do to prepare?

Other than castor oil and sex, what other natural methods can I use to induce my labor?

If everything goes well, when can I return to work after I have the baby?

When and what should I expect of my first postpartum menstrual period?

When should we begin to discuss birth control options for after the delivery?

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